Diana's Top Ten FCP 7 Features

#9 - The Timecode Viewer

Look at the image below. Something new has been added in FCP 7. It’s the Timecode Viewer, a floating time code window, which will really come in handy as you share your screen or sequence with others. And taking notes by jotting down time code as you view your footage has never been easier.

Opening the Timecode Viewer

To open the Timecode Viewer, you choose it from the Tools menu, or press Control–T. The timecode of whichever window (Viewer, Canvas, or Timeline) is active, will be displayed in the window. To display a different window's timecode, simply click that window.

Create the Timecode Viewer You Need

There are any number of ways to make the Viewer serve your needs. You can position it anywhere on the screen. And you can resize it by dragging the lower right corner to give you numbers large or small. The window is also slightly opaque so you can see through it. And, with the Timeline active, the name, as you can see below, will reflect whichever sequence you are in.

Timecode Viewer Reflecting the Quest Sequence Timecode

Timecode Viewer Reflecting the Believe Sequence Timecode

Clip versus Sequence names

When the Viewer window is active, as opposed to the Timeline, the Timecode Viewer will reflect the timecode and name of the clip rather than the sequence.

Timecode Viewer Displaying Clip Timecode and Title

So whether you need to share your sequence and material with others or simply want to kick back and take notes on your own sequence, the Timecode Viewer is a tool that will adapt to your needs and could really make a big difference in your workflow, which is why it’s one of my favorites.

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